
Air Pressure and Helium Balloon Shrinkage
Hard
Does a helium balloon shrink faster on a high floor than on the ground? Air pressure drops as you go higher in a building. That lower outside pressure may let helium escape through the latex more quickly.
You inflate 60 balloons to the same diameter. Then you place 20 on the ground floor, 20 on the 30th floor, and 20 on the 60th floor. Every two hours you measure each balloon's diameter.
The balloons on the 60th floor shrink the fastest. Ground-floor balloons hold their size the longest.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that lower air pressure in the surroundings will cause helium gas to escape at a faster rate, from a balloon.
Method & Materials
You will inflate balloons with helium gas, measure their diameter, and observe how the helium gas escapes from the balloons in different air pressures.
You will need 60 balloons, a tank of helium gas, a 500mm ruler and 2 wooden blocks, 60 nails, and 100m of string.
Results
The experiment results show that the balloons on the highest floor reduce in size and diameter at a faster rate than the balloons on the ground floor. This means that the helium gas escapes more quickly from the balloons located on the highest floor.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it shows how air pressure affects the diffusion of helium gas in balloons.
Also Consider
Consider experimenting with different types of gases and varying the room temperature and humidity levels.
Full project details
You can find additional information and details for this science fair project here. Have fun exploring!Share this Science Project:
Related Science Fair Project Ideas
Photograph red, yellow, green, and blue balls at increasing ocean depths to discover which colors vanish first.
Hard
Aim red, green, and blue lasers through colored glass filters and measure whether any filter blocks a meaningful amount of power.
Hard
Build three speaker boxes of different depths and measure which frequencies each one boosts or cuts.
Hard
Share this Science Project:
